Sushma Swaraj bats for quota for women

NEW DELHI: Political power for women is a must for empowerment and the success of women representatives at panchayat level has busted the myth that reservation would do no good, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said today.

She said the BJP-rules states had already increased the seats reserved for women from 33 per cent to 50 per cent and the Centre has followed suit with a bill, reserving half of the seats at panchayat level for women.

When asked why Women Reservation Bill is not being passed in Parliament, she said it is for the government to take it up and her party had already promised to support it.

She called on corporate houses to microfinance woman entrepreneurs as it would be more successful in empowering poor women.

Speaking at a function organised by Assocham on "Challenges for women in modern India in workplace and society", Swaraj said it is ironical that women occupy some of the most important constitutional positions in the country and they are still subjected to ghastly crimes and domestic cruelty.

She said female foeticide happens most in developed states and well-to-do families which is a real shame.

"Foreign dignitaries meeting me often express their surprise and happiness after finding women as Lok Sabha Speaker, ruling party president and Leader of Opposition in India. But then something like Damini (referring to gang rape and murder of a girl in December in Delhi) happens which shames us," she said.

She said security, education and economic and political empowerment of women are key requirement for their overall emancipation in society.